Chapter 449: A Clear Path for Khorchin

Looking at her brother lying on the ground, Bumbutai raised her head somewhat helplessly to look at Zhu Youxiao.

By now she understood what kind of man the one before her was, and she also knew the strength and status this man possessed — on this land of the Great Ming, no one could compare to him.

In her current situation, she could not refuse this man either. If she humored him, there might still be a good outcome; if she provoked his anger, none of them would survive. The man before her was no benevolent soul, even if he was an emperor.

Look at how he treated Fan Yongdou, look at how he treated Irgen Gioro — one could understand what this man was thinking and what he wanted to do. Those who refused him came to no good end.

Bumbutai said, "Of course, I am a bit hungry as well."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Bumbutai and gently extended his hand, making a gesture of invitation.

Bumbutai looked at Zhu Youxiao somewhat confused — what was he doing?

"Come, I shall hold your hand." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

Bumbutai was startled for a moment, but still reached out her hand and placed it in Zhu Youxiao's large palm, letting him lead her.

The two left the spot together.

Wei Chao and Chen Hong exchanged a glance, then immediately averted their eyes. Both had the same thought.

Though they did not know what His Majesty intended to do, the matter before them seemed quite clear — yet in truth, it was not so.

His Majesty always acted by looking one step ahead, even two or three steps ahead. Though the situation seemed clear now, there might be other matters behind it.

But this had nothing to do with Wei Chao and the other man; all they needed to do was attend to His Majesty. They hurriedly followed along.

As for Wukeshan, who was still lying on the ground, he was naturally dragged away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. For the Guard, this was their proper work.

Though Wukeshan was furious inside, he had no recourse at the moment. He knew he had no ability to resist now — even if he wanted to kill himself, he probably could not. These people would not give him the chance to die.

Zhu Youxiao led Bumbutai to the main hall, where food had long since been prepared.

After sitting down, Zhu Youxiao began to eat. To be honest, he really was hungry.

While eating, he looked up and saw that Bumbutai had not moved, so he asked with a smile, "What, the food doesn't suit your taste? No matter — tell me what you'd like to eat, and I'll have them prepare it right away."

Letting out a helpless sigh, Bumbutai looked at Zhu Youxiao and said, "You are the sovereign of the Great Ming. Is it not somewhat improper to pressure a young woman like this? It damages the dignity of your imperial majesty."

"Don't say such things." Zhu Youxiao smiled, his tone carrying mockery. "Do you truly submit to Hong Taiji? Or was your marriage back then also because of mutual affection?"

"Or was it because you couldn't defeat him — you couldn't beat him, so he forced you? When circumstances are stronger than people, that is understandable. So now it is the same situation, the same circumstances stronger than people. I don't think you love Hong Taiji — he is your uncle by marriage. Am I wrong about that?"

Bumbutai was instantly left speechless, because this was the truth.

Back then, the two families had even fought wars, but her family had been quick to see the way things were going — because they could not win, they immediately surrendered and conceded defeat. Under such circumstances, it was naturally not voluntary; the marriage alliance was forced upon her.

"And I also know one more thing," Zhu Youxiao set down his food, picked up his teacup and took a sip, speaking with an unhurried air: "Your previous alliance was agreed upon to jointly deal with the Great Ming. Am I wrong about that?"

"Because of that fig leaf, many tribes formed alliances with the Jianzhou barbarians. But in fact, that is no longer the case now. The saying that circumstances are stronger than people holds true at all times. Now Hong Taiji needs more support, and as for you — you can't defeat him, so you can only listen to him."

"I expect this marriage alliance is also an opportunity to revise the treaty; and it's not only aimed at the Great Ming, but also includes Ligdan Khan. You not only need to join Hong Taiji against the Great Ming, you also need to join him against Ligdan Khan. Am I wrong about that?"

Bumbutai looked at Zhu Youxiao and said nothing.

That she said nothing, Zhu Youxiao could understand. Because this was itself a fact — something that had truly happened in history.

In the earliest days, when the Jianzhou barbarians and the Mongols formed their alliance, on the one hand they had won victories, and on the other hand they used threats and bribes. The earliest treaty the two sides signed was to jointly deal with the Great Ming — the enemy of my enemy is my friend; that reasoning held up.

But later, Nurhaci was no longer satisfied with this. After all, on the Great Ming front, breaking through was not easy, and winning was even harder.

So ever since the defeat in Liaodong, Nurhaci had hunkered down. He wanted to expand westward and needed more manpower, so he needed more Mongol tribes.

And at this time, Ligdan Khan became Nurhaci's enemy — like a fishbone stuck in his throat, like a thorn in his flesh, too uncomfortable not to pull out. So he began threatening his Mongol allies, demanding they join him in fighting Ligdan Khan.

There really were those who disagreed, and so they were wiped out. Those who were wiped out were the five tribes of Inner Khalkha — they refused to join Hong Taiji in fighting Ligdan Khan.

Fighting the Great Ming was acceptable, but they would not betray their own ancestors. In this matter, the Khorchin had nothing to do with such scruples — they directly betrayed Ligdan Khan.

It was also after this that the Jianzhou barbarians established the Mongol Eight Banners. After revising this treaty — that is, after this alliance — the Jianzhou barbarians began fighting westward, wanting to destroy Ligdan Khan.

This kind of situation was very unfavorable for Zhu Youxiao. With the Great Ming's current military strength in Liaodong, launching a decisive battle was unrealistic. Even dispatching the imperial guards from the capital, this battle would not be easy to fight — there was a real risk of sinking into the quagmire of war.

And the things he had been doing across the country had generated much opposition. Once war broke out in Liaodong and the Great Ming was plunged into conflict, matters would become very difficult to handle — all sorts of troublemakers at home would jump out. Moreover, in these two years Shanxi and Shaanxi were about to enter a great drought, and uprisings at home were about to begin, so he could not act recklessly.

Before accumulating sufficient strength, Liaodong could not easily open a major war front, and the Mongols could not be allowed to fall under Hong Taiji.

If Hong Taiji gained a path westward, matters would become extremely troublesome — the entire northern border of the Great Ming would be within his striking range. Compared to the current Mongols, Hong Taiji's men were far more difficult to deal with.

Ligdan Khan was no match for him, and propping up Ligdan Khan was not a good idea either. After all, Ligdan Khan was also an ambitious man who had always wanted to unify the Mongols.

If Zhu Youxiao destroyed the Jianzhou barbarians, Ligdan Khan would certainly seize the opportunity to grow strong, and then he would become another major problem.

Fighting in Liaodong was far simpler than fighting on the Mongol steppe.

After all, Liaodong was only so big a place, unlike the steppe, which could spread out westward and northward. So the Great Ming needed to foster a new power on the steppe.

A fence-sitter like the Doyan Three Guards would not do — they must understand the times and have ambition. The most suitable was the Khorchin, the old fox of the steppe. Moreover, their geographic position was also fitting — right between Ligdan Khan and the Jianzhou barbarians. As long as the Khorchin was willing to reach southward a little, they could cut the two territories apart, severing their connection.

As for insufficient strength, that did not matter — Zhu Youxiao could help the Khorchin. Whichever side they might lean toward, Zhu Youxiao was not worried. Whether it was the Jianzhou barbarians or Ligdan Khan, what they wanted was to swallow the Khorchin whole; Zhu Youxiao, by contrast, could actually help them.

Looking at Bumbutai, Zhu Youxiao asked with a smile, "Why aren't you speaking? Am I wrong?"

"Everything you said is correct." Bumbutai looked at Zhu Youxiao and said, "But what does it have to do with us? For the Khorchin to survive is already the greatest fortune. Surviving in the cracks — how easy is that?"

"I think it's very easy." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile. "But it's useless telling you about this matter — I need to speak with your brother. Let's eat first; I expect he'll have recovered soon enough, and then we'll talk with him."

Bumbutai looked at Zhu Youxiao with some worry. This emperor before her was very clever, and also very skilled in methods; the words he spoke were very easily able to beguile people. With her brother's temperament, he might well be beguiled — and that would not be a good thing.

Though Zhu Youxiao's words sounded wonderful, it was plain he harbored no good intentions.

Zhu Youxiao looked at Bumbutai and smiled. Though she was very clever, some matters could not be accomplished by cleverness alone.

Zhu Youxiao picked up a piece of meat and placed it in Bumbutai's bowl, saying with a smile, "Eat some meat — eat more so you can grow."

With no other choice, Bumbutai could only accompany Zhu Youxiao in eating, since she was hungry as well.

After the meal, Zhu Youxiao had someone bring Wukeshan up.

Wukeshan's complexion was somewhat pale; his wounds had already been bandaged. Though he looked somewhat weak overall, his condition was still passable.

Looking Wukeshan up and down, Zhu Youxiao said, "How about we talk about cooperation?"

Hearing this, Wukeshan gave a cold snort and said, "What kind of cooperation is this supposed to be?"

"Was the Jurchens' cooperation with you any different? Didn't they still force you with blades? That's how things are in this world — when circumstances pressure people, there's no choice. How is that different from the present situation?"

"Besides, when has the steppe ever cared about such things? Isn't it all about interests? Cooperating with me comes with quite a few benefits. Do you want to hear my conditions? Perhaps after hearing them, your thinking will change. You can have a marriage alliance with Hong Taiji — why not with me?"

"Surely you're not still holding a grudge over a grudge from over two hundred years ago? Times have changed, and things are no longer what they once were. The era has moved on—we should look forward, don't you agree? Given my status, I would hardly be doing your sister any dishonor. Besides, Hong Taiji has already married your aunt, and now he wants to marry your sister as well—that hardly seems appropriate."

"There are many things I am capable of that Hong Taiji could never accomplish. Surely you don't want the Khorchin to remain like this forever—do you have no ambition at all? If that truly is the case, then you would be a grave disappointment to me."